Michael Massey Carries Waiver-Wire Appeal Amidst August Hot Streak
Across 366 plate appearances in 2026, Kansas City Royals second baseman/outfielder Michael Massey (head) is hitting .274/.308/.441 with 11 home runs, 43 RBI, 46 runs scored, and two stolen bases. The 28-year-old has largely been solid throughout the year, but he's really picked up the pace of late. Across 69 plate appearances in August, Massey is hitting .323 with three home runs. Massey does not profile as a huge source of power for fantasy managers, but he's struck out in just 16.9% of his plate appearances. The lefty-swinging Massey is also hitting .323 against same-handed pitching so far this year, which could help him earn a bit more playing time against left-handed starters down the stretch. With his balanced profile at the plate, Massey profiles as a valuable depth piece to target on the waiver wire in deeper leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
George Klassen Establishing Himself as a Viable Starting Pitcher Streamer
Across 27 innings (six starts) in 2026, Los Angeles Angels right-hander George Klassen has recorded a 2-2 record with a 3.67 ERA, 1.63 WHIP, and 24 strikeouts. The 24-year-old has had major issues with control so far, as he's posted a 16.8% walk rate. However, Klassen has been effective since being promoted from Triple-A to rejoin the Angels' rotation in early August. Across his last 22 1/3 innings (four starts), Klassen has logged two wins while allowing just five earned runs. Klassen has averaged 96.6 miles per hour on his fastball, and he's shown an ability to keep the ball on the ground (51.9% ground ball rate). Klassen has also shown higher-end strikeout stuff in the minors, recording a 27.7% strikeout rate across 108 2/3 minor league innings in 2025. Given his recent hot streak, Klassen deserves some waiver-wire consideration from fantasy managers as a matchup-based streamer.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Alejandro Kirk a Must-Roster Catcher Amidst Second-Half Resurgence
Across 226 plate appearances in 2026, Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk is hitting .274/.354/.411 with seven home runs, 29 RBI, and 16 runs scored. The first half of Kirk's season was derailed after he suffered a fractured thumb in early April, which caused him to miss over two months. However, the 27-year-old has gotten back on track in the second half. Across 123 plate appearances since the All-Star break, Kirk is hitting .346 with five home runs and has more walks (17) than strikeouts (12). With just an 11.1% strikeout rate on the year, Kirk is one of the better sources of batting average amongst catchers for fantasy managers. He also occupies a prime position in the Blue Jays batting order and can be a run producer when healthy. In any league where he is not already rostered, Kirk should be considered a waiver wire target.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Tim Tawa Emerging as a Priority Waiver-Wire Target
Across 248 plate appearances entering play on Wednesday, Arizona Diamondbacks utility man Tim Tawa was slashing .248/.301/.404 with eight home runs, 32 RBI, 26 runs scored, and seven stolen bases. The 27-year-old has emerged as an everyday piece of the Diamondbacks lineup in August, hitting .299 with four home runs and five stolen bases across 96 plate appearances this month. Tawa's underlying batted ball metrics are rock solid, as he's posted a 9.2% barrel rate and a 45.7% hard-hit rate. Tawa has also lowered his strikeout rate to 22.0%, a much more manageable figure than his 28.4% strikeout rate across 225 big-league plate appearances in 2025. With his ability to produce across all categories and his multi-positional eligibility, Tawa profiles as a priority waiver wire target for fantasy managers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Roki Sasaki Pulled from Wednesday's Start Due to Blister
Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Roki Sasaki (finger) was removed from his start against the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday due to a blister, per an announcement from the team. Sasaki struggled before getting pulled, allowing six hits, two walks, and four earned runs across 3 1/3 innings. The severity of his blister issues is not yet clear, but it would not be surprising if Sasaki requires a short stint on the injured list. Across 119 1/3 innings (23 starts) on the year, the 24-year-old has recorded a 5-5 record with a 4.60 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, and 117 strikeouts. Sasaki had been in the midst of a hot streak heading into his start on Wednesday, pitching to a 2.31 ERA with 34 strikeouts across his previous 35 innings pitched (six starts). If Sasaki is forced to miss time, Dodgers left-hander Eric Lauer could be a candidate to rejoin the team's rotation.
Source: Los Angeles Dodgers
Source: Los Angeles Dodgers
Bo Bichette Exits Early on Wednesday with Foot Contusion
New York Mets infielder Bo Bichette (foot) was removed in the fifth inning of his team's 8-1 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday due to a left-foot contusion, per an announcement from the team. Bichette walked once in two plate appearances before exiting the game. Across 568 plate appearances on the year, Bichette is hitting .264/.312/.393 with 14 home runs, 66 RBI, 64 runs scored, and one stolen base. The 28-year-old has rebounded after a rough start to the season and has looked like his usual self of late, hitting .291 with four home runs and 15 RBI across 153 plate appearances since the All-Star break. However, he may now be facing some missed time. Bichette was replaced at third base on Wednesday by Christopher Morel, who could be in line for more playing time if Bichette requires a trip to the injured list.
Source: New York Mets
Source: New York Mets
Chris Godwin Jr. Looking Like the Best Version of Himself
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin Jr. has been quarterback Baker Mayfield's top target in camp and during joint practices. Mayfield praised all the team's receivers but said Godwin looks great. "Chris Godwin looks like the best version of Chris Godwin. ... being back in a system that's gonna help him be successful in spots where he does things really well." The Mayfield-to-Godwin connection was on point during joint practice with the Jacksonville Jaguars. With second-year receiver Emeka Egbuka not practicing, Godwin has been the lead receiver in Tampa Bay. Over the last two seasons, he has totaled 83 receptions for 933 yards and seven touchdowns in 16 games, though he missed significant time with a broken ankle. With Godwin expected to operate as the slot receiver in Tampa Bay under new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson, he could be a starting wide receiver in fantasy formats this season.
Source: Scott Smith
Source: Scott Smith
George Holani Losing Fantasy Appeal in Seattle's Backfield
Seattle Seahawks running back George Holani may not see the substantial workload everyone expected early in the season. Holani spent last season as the team's RB3 behind Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet, totaling just 88 scrimmage yards and a touchdown on 24 attempts. Now with Walker in Kansas City and Charbonnet recovering from a torn ACL, Holani seemed to be in line for a solid workload in Week 1. However, the emergence of first-round rookie Jadarian Price could cost him valuable touches. Price will not play in the preseason finale, as the team believes "they've seen enough from him" and that "he's too valuable to risk at this point." There have also been rumors that Charbonnet will return sooner than expected, with his recovery progressing well. Holani's fantasy value in 2026 is starting to look bleak, and he may not be worth spending draft capital on.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Trevor Etienne Could See More Work if Backfield Mate Misses Time
Carolina Panthers running back Trevor Etienne could see a larger workload in Week 1 against the Chicago Bears. As a rookie, Etienne totaled 107 scrimmage yards on 23 attempts, spending most of his time on special teams. Now, with starting running back Chuba Hubbard dealing with a hamstring injury, both Etienne and Jonathon Brooks are expected to see more work if Hubbard is unable to return for Week 1. Although Etienne would remain a limited option, the team might involve him early to help ease Brooks back into play, given Brooks' injury history. If Hubbard is able to return to practice soon and play against the Bears, Etienne would likely be phased back into his special teams role with Carolina.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Malaki Branham Agrees to Exhibit 10 Deal with Magic
The Orlando Magic have agreed to an Exhibit 10 deal with guard/forward Malaki Branham, according to Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel. HoopsHype's Michael Scotto first reported the agreement between the two sides. Branham, the No. 20 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, has averaged 8.0 points across 216 NBA games with the San Antonio Spurs and Washington Wizards. His best season came in 2023-24, when he posted 9.2 points, 2.1 assists, and 2.0 rebounds in 21.3 minutes per game. Orlando's backcourt is crowded with Desmond Bane, Jalen Suggs, Anthony Black, and Jase Richardson ahead of him, leaving Branham off fantasy radars unless he turns the camp deal into a real rotation spot.
Source: Jason Beede
Source: Jason Beede
Bijan Robinson Excited For Falcons' New Run Scheme
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson said on Wednesday that the new run scheme is similar to what he ran in college at Texas. Robinson said, "Obviously, he's had these legendary run schemes, and it's pretty cool just talking to him and seeing how it's all going to develop. But this is what I did in college. I love the plan that he has." At Texas, Robinson totaled 3,410 yards and 33 touchdowns in 31 games, helping him be drafted with the eighth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Over the last two seasons, Robinson has totaled over 2,900 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns. With Tyler Allgeier now in Arizona, Robinson could potentially lead the league in rushing this season. The star running back should remain one of the top three picks in fantasy drafts this season.
Source: Marc Ralmondi - ESPN
Source: Marc Ralmondi - ESPN
Bryce Hopkins Lands a Two-Way Contract in Denver
The Denver Nuggets and forward Bryce Hopkins have agreed to a two-way deal, agents Mark Bartelstein and Reggie Brown confirmed to HoopsHype's Michael Scotto. Denver selected Hopkins with the 49th pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, and the former St. John's standout strengthened his case in Las Vegas by averaging 18.0 points and 6.5 rebounds across four Summer League games. He was a two-time All-Big East selection and averaged 13.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.1 steals last season after injuries limited the end of his Providence run. Hopkins gives Denver another physical forward to develop, but the two-way tag keeps him off fantasy radars unless injuries push him into real rotation minutes.
Source: Michael Scotto
Source: Michael Scotto
Jaxson Dart Finding a Groove at Practice
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart has found a groove in practice after a slow start to training camp. On Wednesday, Dart completed multiple deep passes, including a 35-yarder to veteran Odell Beckham Jr. and an off-script 40+ yard pass to Darnell Mooney between two defenders. He also excelled in the goal-line period, throwing for four touchdowns and running one in on eight plays. While Dart struggled early in camp, with multiple pre-snap penalties and mistakes, the second-year quarterback has put on a show. Currently ranked QB13 in RotoBaller's positional rankings, Dart offers immense upside, given his running ability and the return of star receiver Malik Nabers for the 2026 season.
Source: Art Stapleton
Source: Art Stapleton
Jordan Miller to be Re-Evaluated in Six Months
Los Angeles Clippers guard/forward Jordan Miller (shoulder) underwent surgery Wednesday to repair a torn left rotator cuff sustained during an offseason workout, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Miller will be re-evaluated in six months, putting his return window around late February or March at the earliest. The 26-year-old re-signed with the Clippers on a three-year, $15.3 million deal in July after averaging a career-best 10.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in 22.1 minutes across 60 games last season. His path had already tightened after the Max Strus trade, and this injury gives Cam Christie and Kobe Sanders a cleaner shot at depth minutes behind Bradley Beal and Strus.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Jonathan Kuminga Joins Timberwolves
Forward Jonathan Kuminga has agreed to a two-year, $13 million deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves that includes a player option, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The 23-year-old is expected to start at power forward next to Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball, Jaden McDaniels, and Rudy Gobert after choosing Minnesota over offers from the Lakers, Bulls, and Trail Blazers. Kuminga struggled to find a rhythm last season, averaging 12.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists across 36 games between Golden State and Atlanta. With Julius Randle in Brooklyn and Naz Reid in Charlotte, the frontcourt minutes are there. Playing off Edwards and Ball should give Kuminga cleaner looks, but his fantasy ceiling still hinges on shooting growth and defensive stats.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
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